Page 20
Story: Ranger Purpose
“No, Ellie.” He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “There’s nothing to apologize for. You did what you were ordered to do by people you trust. Now, given all that’s happened, we need to figure out a way to keep you and Owen safe.”
A determined look settled over her features. “The only way to keep Owen safe is by finding whatever the Iron Fist thinks I have and either destroying it or getting it into the right hands.”She pulled her hand from his and stood. “Which is exactly what I intend to do.”
He rose. “Not on your own.”
“No, Daniel. I can’t ask you to help me beyond keeping Owen safe.” A stubborn tilt jutted her chin up. “As it stands now, you’re compromised. Don’t you get it? This is an FBI case. Legally and technically, you’re supposed to loop them in. By not doing so, you’re putting your badge at risk.”
“I have no intention of risking my badge or informing the FBI about our investigation.” Daniel placed his hands gently on her shoulders before she could make a run for it. “I know you’re scared, Ellie, and you have every right to be, but we can’t take on the Iron Fist on our own. My superior, Lieutenant Rodriguez, can be trusted. She may keep the team small and on a need-to-know basis, but she won’t put either you or Owen’s life at risk. I guarantee it.”
Ellie hesitated and then gave a small nod. “Okay.”
It wasn’t full trust—but it was something. And given the betrayals she’d endured, Daniel knew it meant everything.
He pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. Her head rested against his chest, and slowly, her rigid posture relaxed beneath his touch. The rippling of the creek as it weaved around the rocks created a soothing backdrop. The setting sun hadn’t left the sky, but the shadows under the pecan tree had deepened. They needed to head back to the house soon.
But not yet.
Daniel held her closer. The silky strands of her hair tickled his chin, the scent of her shampoo filling his senses. She was so delicate next to him, but there was an iron rod of steel running through her. There had to be. Ellie was a survivor. She’d lost her home, her career, nearly her life. Instead of curling up into a ball of anger, she’d started fresh. Made friends. Built a career. Taken on a sick child.
He wanted to shield her from everything that came next. The urge was potent and overwhelming, and unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. But Daniel was wise enough to know his limitations.
He couldn’t guarantee safety or answers. But he could make her one promise.
She wouldn’t face it alone.
TEN
Wind whispered through the leaves and sunlight dappled the grass as Ellie pushed Owen in the baby swing hanging from an old oak tree. His giggles warmed her heart but couldn’t erase the nerves jangling through her.
After their conversation by the creek, Daniel informed his boss about the situation. This afternoon, Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez arrived with another ranger, Jonah Foster. Daniel and his colleague Cole were with them in the dining room.
They were talking. About her. About the threats against her and Owen.
Ellie wanted to be a part of the conversation, but she was no longer an FBI Agent. Some things had to be discussed outside of her purview. Not an easy pill to swallow. Especially now when her life was spinning out of control. Could she trust Daniel to be her port in the storm? To advocate for her and Owen’s best interests?
She’d only known him a few days. And yet… inexplicably something deep inside her whispered yes. Yes, she could trust him.
“If you keep biting that lip, it’s going to bleed.” Marta’s tone was gentle, but concern darkened her chestnut-colored eyes. She handed Ellie a glass of iced tea and motioned toward the bench under the oak. “Sit, mamasita. I’ll push Owen.”
Ellie released her bottom lip and took a long sip of the sweet iced tea. The cold glass against her mouth soothed the sting. She hadn’t even realized she’d been gnawing at it. A sign of just how worried she was.
Marta gave Owen a push, and he giggled wildly, curls bouncing in the breeze. Scout was nestled beside him in the seat, his floppy ears waving with the motion. Jinx snoozed on the grass next to the bench. The dog opened one eye as Ellie sat, then rolled over with a sigh of contentment.
Ellie traced her fingers along the smooth wooden armrest. “Did your husband make this?”
“Yes.” Marta seemed pleased that Ellie recognized her late husband’s handiwork. “Sam built it so we could watch our grandkids play in the yard.” Her smile faltered as sadness crept in.
Ellie didn’t need her to explain. Sam had passed away a few years back after only a short time with his grandchildren. “You must miss him.”
“Every day. We had twenty-five years together. Some hard, some easy, but always full of love.”
The warmth in Marta’s tone tugged at Ellie’s long-buried dreams. There’d been a time she’d wanted a husband to share her life with and a house full of kids. But her career had come first. She’d thought there’d be time for everything else. And now…
She rotated the glass in her hands. “It’s hard to imagine spending twenty-five years with one person. I’ve changed so much, I’m not sure I recognize the woman I used to be.” Ellie lether attention drift across the pastures dotted with horses. “I was fearless and stubborn.”
Marta let out an unladylike snort. “What makes you think you’re not fearless and stubborn now?” She scooped Owen up, who was starting to fuss, and joined Ellie on the bench. Her voice softened. “I won’t pretend to know what’s going on, mamasita, but you have a warrior’s spirit. Motherhood may have softened you, opened your heart maybe, but it hasn’t changed your grit and determination. Don’t doubt yourself.”
She was full of doubts. Had been since the first attack.
A determined look settled over her features. “The only way to keep Owen safe is by finding whatever the Iron Fist thinks I have and either destroying it or getting it into the right hands.”She pulled her hand from his and stood. “Which is exactly what I intend to do.”
He rose. “Not on your own.”
“No, Daniel. I can’t ask you to help me beyond keeping Owen safe.” A stubborn tilt jutted her chin up. “As it stands now, you’re compromised. Don’t you get it? This is an FBI case. Legally and technically, you’re supposed to loop them in. By not doing so, you’re putting your badge at risk.”
“I have no intention of risking my badge or informing the FBI about our investigation.” Daniel placed his hands gently on her shoulders before she could make a run for it. “I know you’re scared, Ellie, and you have every right to be, but we can’t take on the Iron Fist on our own. My superior, Lieutenant Rodriguez, can be trusted. She may keep the team small and on a need-to-know basis, but she won’t put either you or Owen’s life at risk. I guarantee it.”
Ellie hesitated and then gave a small nod. “Okay.”
It wasn’t full trust—but it was something. And given the betrayals she’d endured, Daniel knew it meant everything.
He pulled her into his arms. She didn’t resist. Her head rested against his chest, and slowly, her rigid posture relaxed beneath his touch. The rippling of the creek as it weaved around the rocks created a soothing backdrop. The setting sun hadn’t left the sky, but the shadows under the pecan tree had deepened. They needed to head back to the house soon.
But not yet.
Daniel held her closer. The silky strands of her hair tickled his chin, the scent of her shampoo filling his senses. She was so delicate next to him, but there was an iron rod of steel running through her. There had to be. Ellie was a survivor. She’d lost her home, her career, nearly her life. Instead of curling up into a ball of anger, she’d started fresh. Made friends. Built a career. Taken on a sick child.
He wanted to shield her from everything that came next. The urge was potent and overwhelming, and unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. But Daniel was wise enough to know his limitations.
He couldn’t guarantee safety or answers. But he could make her one promise.
She wouldn’t face it alone.
TEN
Wind whispered through the leaves and sunlight dappled the grass as Ellie pushed Owen in the baby swing hanging from an old oak tree. His giggles warmed her heart but couldn’t erase the nerves jangling through her.
After their conversation by the creek, Daniel informed his boss about the situation. This afternoon, Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez arrived with another ranger, Jonah Foster. Daniel and his colleague Cole were with them in the dining room.
They were talking. About her. About the threats against her and Owen.
Ellie wanted to be a part of the conversation, but she was no longer an FBI Agent. Some things had to be discussed outside of her purview. Not an easy pill to swallow. Especially now when her life was spinning out of control. Could she trust Daniel to be her port in the storm? To advocate for her and Owen’s best interests?
She’d only known him a few days. And yet… inexplicably something deep inside her whispered yes. Yes, she could trust him.
“If you keep biting that lip, it’s going to bleed.” Marta’s tone was gentle, but concern darkened her chestnut-colored eyes. She handed Ellie a glass of iced tea and motioned toward the bench under the oak. “Sit, mamasita. I’ll push Owen.”
Ellie released her bottom lip and took a long sip of the sweet iced tea. The cold glass against her mouth soothed the sting. She hadn’t even realized she’d been gnawing at it. A sign of just how worried she was.
Marta gave Owen a push, and he giggled wildly, curls bouncing in the breeze. Scout was nestled beside him in the seat, his floppy ears waving with the motion. Jinx snoozed on the grass next to the bench. The dog opened one eye as Ellie sat, then rolled over with a sigh of contentment.
Ellie traced her fingers along the smooth wooden armrest. “Did your husband make this?”
“Yes.” Marta seemed pleased that Ellie recognized her late husband’s handiwork. “Sam built it so we could watch our grandkids play in the yard.” Her smile faltered as sadness crept in.
Ellie didn’t need her to explain. Sam had passed away a few years back after only a short time with his grandchildren. “You must miss him.”
“Every day. We had twenty-five years together. Some hard, some easy, but always full of love.”
The warmth in Marta’s tone tugged at Ellie’s long-buried dreams. There’d been a time she’d wanted a husband to share her life with and a house full of kids. But her career had come first. She’d thought there’d be time for everything else. And now…
She rotated the glass in her hands. “It’s hard to imagine spending twenty-five years with one person. I’ve changed so much, I’m not sure I recognize the woman I used to be.” Ellie lether attention drift across the pastures dotted with horses. “I was fearless and stubborn.”
Marta let out an unladylike snort. “What makes you think you’re not fearless and stubborn now?” She scooped Owen up, who was starting to fuss, and joined Ellie on the bench. Her voice softened. “I won’t pretend to know what’s going on, mamasita, but you have a warrior’s spirit. Motherhood may have softened you, opened your heart maybe, but it hasn’t changed your grit and determination. Don’t doubt yourself.”
She was full of doubts. Had been since the first attack.
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